I’m just going to say it: the sides are the real stars of Thanksgiving. Every single year, it’s the creamy, crunchy, savory, and sweet supporting players that get all the oohs and ahhs around my table.
I’ve rounded up 24 traditional Thanksgiving side dishes that are so delicious, you might just forget about the turkey for a minute. Pull up a chair and get cozy with the coziest, most mouthwatering lineup your holiday has ever seen.
1. Roasted Carrots with Parmesan and Garlic
Roasted carrots get a serious upgrade with a punch of garlic and a shower of parmesan. They turn out tender, caramelized, and so delicious, with the most beautiful pop of color on the plate. It’s an easy side that feels just a little bit fancy.
2. Pecan Topped Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole brings that classic Southern charm with every single bite. It dances between sweet and savory in the most irresistible way, and that crunchy pecan streusel on top is pure magic. It’s a nostalgic favorite that always feels like a little celebration on the plate.
3. Air Fryer Whiskey Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
This air fryer whiskey sausage and cranberry stuffing is a flavorful and unique addition to your Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. It’s a modern twist on a classic Thanksgiving food side dish.
If you’re looking to keep traditional recipes but still want something new, try this! LOVED OUR SELECTION OF TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES? PIN IT FOR LATER!
4. Slow Cooked Southern Green Beans
For a side that brings the savory, slow cooked comfort, you need these Southern green beans. They simmer low and slow until they’re tender and absolutely packed with flavor. It’s a classic, no fuss dish that always earns a big “yum” from the crowd.
5. GOUDA CHEDDAR PARMESAN SCALLOPED POTATOES AU GRATIN
These gouda cheddar parmesan scalloped potatoes au gratin are a cheesy delight for your Thanksgiving food list. They’re a rich and decadent addition to your traditional Thanksgiving dinner side dishes.
6. From Scratch Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole made completely from scratch? Yes, please.
It has all the creamy, savory goodness you crave but skips the shortcuts for fresh ingredients. This is the real deal, a beloved classic that tastes even better when you make it yourself.
7. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Brussels sprouts get a major glow up with crispy bacon and caramelized onions. They come out of the oven savory and irresistibly crispy around the edges. Even the sprout skeptics at the table will be reaching for seconds.
8. My Favorite Thanksgiving Stuffing
You’ve got to add this stuffing to your must make list. It’s the best Thanksgiving stuffing I’ve ever tasted, hands down, loaded with savory herbs and that perfect soft yet crispy texture. Every bite is just packed with flavor, making it the ultimate partner for turkey and gravy.
9. Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
Let’s talk about mac and cheese, because this one is an absolute showstopper. It’s baked until bubbly and golden, with the most incredible gooey, cheesy pull that stretches for days.
I guarantee you’ll be scooping seconds (and thirds) before the turkey even has a chance. This is comfort food royalty, hands down.
10. PUMPKIN FLUFF
This pumpkin fluff is a light and airy dessert that doubles as a side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner menu. It’s a sweet treat that fits perfectly with other Thanksgiving food side dishes.
11. Festive Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is a total upgrade, and this spiced version is bursting with tangy, festive flavor. It’s the perfect partner for slices of roast turkey, cutting through the richness with a bright little zing. I love how the warm spices make everything feel extra cozy and celebratory.
12. Easy Turkey Gravy
If you’re still chasing that perfect gravy, I’ve got you. This simple turkey gravy is rich and silky.
It’s deeply savory, too. It’s the final touch that ties everything together, ready to be drizzled over mashed potatoes, stuffing, and every single bite on your plate.
13. Southern Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
Here’s another Southern gem: a sweet potato casserole with that signature crunchy pecan topping. The creamy, velvety sweet potatoes underneath are just heavenly paired with the buttery crunch on top. It’s a total staple that makes the holiday table feel complete.
14. Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes
If you want a little sweetness to round out the savory spread, these crockpot candied sweet potatoes are the answer. They come out buttery and glazed, with that sticky caramelized coating I just can’t resist. The slow cooker does all the work, making them an easy, hands off dream.
15. SWEET POTATOES WITH CANDIED MAPLE PECANS
Add some sweetness to your Thanksgiving menu! These sweet potatoes with candied maple pecans are a sweet and crunchy side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. They add a unique twist to your Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes.
16. Slow Cooker Green Beans
Whip up your crockpot with this recipe! These crockpot green beans with bacon are an easy and flavorful side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner menu. They’re slow-cooked to perfection and full of savory goodness.
17. Southern Style Candied Yams
Oh, these Southern style candied yams are pure nostalgia in a dish. They cook down into tender, caramelized coins swimming in a rich, sweet syrup that’s completely irresistible. This is one of those classic sides that has to be on the table, year after year.
18. Simple Cranberry Fluff Salad
Cranberry lovers, this one’s for you! This easy cranberry fluff salad is light and creamy.
It's wonderfully refreshing, too. It’s that sweet, fruity little spoonful that balances out all the heavy, savory dishes on the table. I find myself sneaking bites straight from the bowl.
19. Creamy Buttery Whipped Mashed Potatoes
I mean, is it even Thanksgiving without a big, pillowy bowl of mashed potatoes? These creamy buttery whipped beauties are so fluffy and rich, they practically melt right into the gravy.
They’re the kind of cozy comfort food that makes the whole meal feel complete. I always make sure they’re front and center on my holiday table.
20. Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Bake
If you’re in the mood for something a little more indulgent, this creamy Brussels sprouts bake is it. It’s rich and bubbly.
It’s totally comforting, hugging every sprout in a velvety sauce. This one plays so nicely alongside roast turkey and all the other fixings.
21. ONE POT GOUDA AND CREAM CHEESE CORN
This one pot gouda and cream cheese corn is a creamy and delicious addition to your Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that everyone will surely love.
22. MAPLE ROASTED RAINBOW CARROTS
These maple roasted rainbow carrots are a colorful and tasty addition to your Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes. Their sweet and savory flavor makes them a standout on your Thanksgiving dinner side dishes list.
23. Soft Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy dinner rolls are an absolute classic for a reason. They’re the best little vehicles for sopping up every last drop of gravy and butter. I always make extra because they disappear faster than anything else on the table.
24. Fluffy Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
Is your mouth watering for a warm, flaky biscuit? These Southern buttermilk biscuits are impossibly fluffy and loaded with buttery layers.
They’re just begging to be split open and drizzled with gravy or a swipe of honey. A true Southern spread isn’t complete without a basket of these beauties.